What is a sustainable community food system?
SAREP > Community Food Systems > Defining Community Food Systems A sustainable community food system is a collaborative network that integrates sustainable food production, processing, distribution, consumption and waste management in order to enhance the environmental, economic and social health of a particular place. Farmers, consumers and communities partner to create a more locally based, self-reliant food economy. One of the most important aspects of sustainable community food system projects is that they increase resident participation to achieve the following goals: • A stable base of family farms that use sustainable production practices and emphasizes local inputs; • Marketing and processing practices that create more direct links between farmers and consumers; • Improved access by all community members to an adequate, affordable, nutritious diet; • Food and agriculture-related businesses that create jobs and recirculate financial capital within the community; • Improved livin
